Mutua Madrid Open ATP1000 02-11 May 2014

[Moxie]

Still unimpressed with Nadal. Though if he keeps playing himself into form in this tournament and wins, I suspect things will start looking better as Paris approaches.

I rewatched the match. You are starting to sound like Clay Death. Nadal played well and confidently. Niemenen was creditable, and hit great shots from the beginning. Rafa was just better. He may not yet be "vintage," be he doesn't suck and he's getting better.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Still unimpressed with Nadal. Though if he keeps playing himself into form in this tournament and wins, I suspect things will start looking better as Paris approaches.

I rewatched the match. You are starting to sound like Clay Death. Nadal played well and confidently. Niemenen was creditable, and hit great shots from the beginning. Rafa was just better. He may not yet be "vintage," be he doesn't suck and he's getting better.

Uh please. I never mentioned the words "vintage" or "suck," because Nadal's level is neither right now, and I think I'm smart enough to understand that there's middle ground. You're also smart enough to differentiate between saying that I'm "unimpressed" by Nadal after he's been mediocre all year and has just put on an OK performance against an over-matched journeyman, and someone saying "I am still not happy with the Clay Warrior" right after he completes his career Grand Slam. So yeah, I'll go ahead and call the comparison ridiculous.

 

[Moxie]

Still unimpressed with Nadal. Though if he keeps playing himself into form in this tournament and wins, I suspect things will start looking better as Paris approaches.

I rewatched the match. You are starting to sound like Clay Death. Nadal played well and confidently. Niemenen was creditable, and hit great shots from the beginning. Rafa was just better. He may not yet be "vintage," be he doesn't suck and he's getting better.

Uh please. I never mentioned the words "vintage" or "suck," because Nadal's level is neither right now, and I think I'm smart enough to understand that there's middle ground. You're also smart enough to differentiate between saying that I'm "unimpressed" by Nadal after he's been mediocre all year and has just put on an OK performance against an over-matched journeyman, and someone saying "I am still not happy with the Clay Warrior" right after he completes his career Grand Slam. So yeah, I'll go ahead and call the comparison ridiculous.

I had no intention of putting words in your mouth. The quotation marks on "vintage" were to express my opinion, but I understand the misunderstanding. "Suck" had none, so clearly that had nothing to do with your opinion. However, I'm sure you can take a bit of a joke and a nudge. :hug You're an ol'curdgudeon when it comes to Rafa. I'm just saying he looks measurable better. Yes, it's a middle-ground between down-in-the-mouth and world beater, but it's a start. And anyway…I'm only funnin' ya!

 

[brokenshoelace]

Still unimpressed with Nadal. Though if he keeps playing himself into form in this tournament and wins, I suspect things will start looking better as Paris approaches.

I rewatched the match. You are starting to sound like Clay Death. Nadal played well and confidently. Niemenen was creditable, and hit great shots from the beginning. Rafa was just better. He may not yet be "vintage," be he doesn't suck and he's getting better.

Uh please. I never mentioned the words "vintage" or "suck," because Nadal's level is neither right now, and I think I'm smart enough to understand that there's middle ground. You're also smart enough to differentiate between saying that I'm "unimpressed" by Nadal after he's been mediocre all year and has just put on an OK performance against an over-matched journeyman, and someone saying "I am still not happy with the Clay Warrior" right after he completes his career Grand Slam. So yeah, I'll go ahead and call the comparison ridiculous.

I had no intention of putting words in your mouth. The quotation marks on "vintage" were to express my opinion, but I understand the misunderstanding. "Suck" had none, so clearly that had nothing to do with your opinion. However, I'm sure you can take a bit of a joke and a nudge. :hug You're an ol'curdgudeon when it comes to Rafa. I'm just saying he looks measurable better. Yes, it's a middle-ground between down-in-the-mouth and world beater, but it's a start. And anyway…I'm only funnin' ya!

Context is important. If Rafa had that sort of performance against Nieminen at this stage last year or the one before, I'd have shrugged it off with a "bring on the next match attitude." Because it's clay, and because Nadal doesn't really need to be in top form all the time on this surface. In light of recent losses however, a confidence crisis, and a generally below-par year, these are the sort of players Nadal is supposed to find his confidence against because if he doesn't, then he can lose to those who can actually hurt him like Ferrer, Almagro, and dare I say...Berdych (not that I'm predicting it).

 

[Kieran]

Hopefully Berdych will be the catalyst that forces him to hit straight. If Rafa ignites at this stage, he may yet go on a summer tear...

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyvLoDKJDkE[/video]

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpXsGJuSH8o[/video]

 

[herios]

That's a pity! He had a huge win against Stan. We're still waiting for a youngster to even reach a big semi, let alone a final. JJ at Wimbledon last year is looking lonesome...

Raonic was in a master final last year.

I personally do not care if is a young or old player, just want to see new faces in the final stages of a big event, other than the usual suspects.
It adds excitement and makes the event less boring.

 

[Kieran]

That's right, Raonic was in Montreal, and Isner in Cinci. I agree - new faces winning things, it's good for the sport...

 

[Moose]

I personally do not care if is a young or old player, just want to see new faces in the final stages of a big event, other than the usual suspects.
It adds excitement and makes the event less boring.

How about Pospisil's run to the semis at Montreal last year for a new, surprising face in the late stages of a big event. Sadly, however, Vasek's been a non-factor this season.

 

[Kieran]

Looks windy out there today...

 

[Kieran]

They're both hitting it well so far, both service games going to deuce. Rafa looks okay, first ace (pure luck!)...

 

[Denis]

Looks windy out there today...

That's great news for Tomas and his low ball toss.... :nono

 

[Denis]

There is no way Berdych is winning this. I just don't see it happening.

 

[Denis]

Rafa is already getting in his head, he will start overcooking his shots soon.

 

[Denis]

LOL @ Rafa ROS position. It's almost in the stands.

 

[Denis]

Incredibly poor shot selection there by Berdych. He could have had 3 BPs.

 

[Kieran]

That was a chance for Berdy at 0-30, but he played a little conservatively off the short ball...

 

[Kieran]

I don't wanna come across as one of these perverts who pieballs the ballgirls (remember NADAL2005 last year, watching the same girl at the FO?) but are they still using models here at Madrid?

 

[Denis]

That was a chance for Berdy at 0-30, but he played a little conservatively off the short ball...

Berdych went to Nadal's backhand on the approach. Nadal's backhand passing shots are vintage, much better than his forehand. Plus he expects the ball there, as people tend to avoid his forehand. Berdych should have gone for the forehand side.